Winamp Logo
The Allegheny Front Cover
The Allegheny Front Profile

The Allegheny Front

English, News, 1 season, 123 episodes, 2 days, 11 hours, 25 minutes
About
Every week, our 29-minute podcast brings you all the environmental news and stories to keep you in the know in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania.
Episode Artwork

Episode for February 2, 2024

After last year's train derailment in East Palestine, a local stream remains contaminated. We'll examine why residents living about the polluted water are still concerned. We talk with a Pennsylvania resident just over the Ohio border who decided not to live full-time in her home. We find out what led to her decision and how she became an activist pushing for answers. And, people in East Palestine feel like the derailment fractured their community - they disagree about politics, the environment and health impacts. Plus, a study of East Palestine residents' health and Pennsylvania's River of the Year.  
2/2/202429 minutes
Episode Artwork

Episode for January 26, 2024

East Palestine, Ohio, is not the same place it was a year ago. Last February, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed there, near the Pennsylvania border, close to people's homes and businesses. Then, a few days later, 900,000 lbs of vinyl chloride was intentionally vented from 5 railcars and burned, leading to an explosion and a dark plume seen for miles around. Over the next three weeks, we'll explore what happened and what the fallout has been for residents. First, we hear from a mother who evacuated the town with her son, who was experiencing horrific symptoms, and why they haven't gone back. We examine the decision by health officials not to test residents for chemical exposure. We'll also hear from a researcher who thinks environmental regulators were too hasty in their assessment that the town was safe. And finally, we visit businesses trying to keep their shops open, some more successfully than others.
1/26/202429 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for January 19, 2024

Since the East Palestine train derailment, local fire companies and first responders are looking at their own resources and training, and how they can prepare for the next derailment or environmental disaster. A new study looks at whether fossil fuel workers have the right skills and live in the right places for future clean energy jobs. Plus, a new study identifies hundreds of chemicals in everday products that increase breast cancer risk. We have news about Philadelphia's renewable energy goals, Norfolk Southern's progress, Future Farmers of America and solar jobs.
1/19/202429 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for January 12, 2024

Sometimes a highway map or an app isn’t detailed enough for outdoor explorers. So, a State College company created a new map featuring Pennsylvania's parks, forests, and hiking trails. Also, it's the final week of voting for Pennsylvania's River of the Year. We'll learn more about the Allegheny, Youghiogheny and Lackawaxen rivers. Plus, a dance troupe in Reading, Pa. is trying to do their part to improve a riverside park that has an uncertain future. News about Pennsylvania solar energy milestone, a $2 million fine for U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works, clean school buses, new PFAS rules and jobs in the outdoors. 
1/12/202429 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for January 5, 2024

New federal rules for hydrogen projects aim to ensure tax credits go to clean hydrogen production, but some Pennsylvania lawmakers aren’t happy. We’ll also hear about how railway workers and safety advocates are pushing for new solutions to prevent derailments like the one in East Palestine, Ohio. Plus, to help injured birds recover, a sanctuary is building natural habitats with plant waste from a nearby botanical garden. We have news about a Pennsylvania bill to increase the renewable energy standard, new federal methane rules, low natural gas impact fees and two tick studies.  
1/5/202429 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 29, 2023

This week on The Allegheny Front, a look back at stories from 2023. We'll revisit a story about how people in East Palestine, Ohio are working through their anxiety with few mental health resources available after the Norfolk Southern train derailment. Hydrogen was a big energy transition story in 2023. After the announcement that Pennsylvania will have a part in two hydrogen hubs meant to reduce carbon emissions, we asked what's next? And in considering the energy transition, what about the people left behind in communities after fossil fuel plants shut down? We visited a community in Ohio where a coal-fired power plant closed, and people gathered to memorialize what it meant to the community.
12/29/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 22, 2023

Plants can make music, with a little help from a device that captures electric impulses. This week, we'll hear some of the beautiful music they can make. We'll also learn about an urban farmer who created a children’s book about how a tomato plant grows. She worked with a group of little kids to do it. Plus, an author revisits the Youghiogheny River of his youth to find some changes for the better.
12/22/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 15, 2023

For the first time, health was a focus at the UN climate conference and advocates were pleased. We'll also learn how climate-related weather like flash floods and extreme heat impact people experiencing homelessness. Plus, people who live near a proposed campground at a state park are circulating a petition to stop the plan. We have news about whitewater recreation in Clearfield County, combating a deadly insect threatening hemlocks in the Allegheny National Forest and how you can vote for Pa.'s 2024 River of the Year.
12/15/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 15, 2023

For the first time, health was a focus at the UN climate conference and advocates were pleased. We'll also learn how climate-related weather like flash floods and extreme heat impact people experiencing homelessness. Plus, people who live near a proposed campground at a state park are circulating a petition to stop the plan. We have news about whitewater recreation in Clearfield County, combating a deadly insect threatening hemlocks in the Allegheny National Forest and how you can vote for Pa.'s 2024 River of the Year.
12/15/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 8, 2023

As the timeline for meaningful action on reducing carbon emissions grows shorter, how is the transition to cleaner forms of energy going? And as climate change creates more intense storms, Pennsylvania wants to make it easier for more residents to buy flood insurance. Plus, a look at some state and federal actions that might finally help reduce kids’ exposure to lead in water.  We also have news about the electric grid in the Mid-Atlantic, a solar project in Adams County, polluted streams in Pittsburgh and fracking in Ohio state parks.  
12/8/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 1, 2023

Governor Josh Shapiro is appealing a court decision that stopped Pennsylania from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. We'll find out why and what it means for climate action. As more solar projects are planned in rural areas, farmers are signing their sheep up for something called solar grazing. Plus, environmental activists from the Gulf Coast met up with anti-fracking activists in Appalachia to strategize and build solidarity. We have news about COP28 climate talks, calls for more radon testing in Pa., hydrogen, fracking and more.
12/1/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for November 24, 2023

It's Thanksgiving week, our favorite holiday at The Allegheny Front. (Well, one of them at least). This week, we give you tips for not creating the food waste that is cooking the planet and tell you about a pilot program that hopes to bring composting to Centre County. We also visit with the foragers and farmers who help make Pennsylvania the largest mushroom producer in the United States. And, we take a trip to a glacial deposit where bears feast on wild cranberries. We have news about a bill to address lead in school water fountains and a new historical sign that marks Penn State's agricultural roots. 
11/21/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for November 17, 2023

For years, residents in Westmoreland County complained about a hazardous waste landfill. Now, federal investigators say it may be breaking several laws. Plus, despite dozens of protestors, an Ohio commission approved fracking in state parks and wildlife areas. We also revisit an interview with Tykee James, a leader in equitable access to outdoor spaces. Plus, a story about a Pennsylvania couple who visited all 124 of Pa.'s state parks. We have news about the National Climate Assessment, the one-year anniversary of Shell's cracker plant opening, federal money for environmental justice projects, and a milestone in land conservation in Pennsylvania.
11/17/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for November 10, 2023

Environmental groups protested outside of a coal and steel conference in Pittsburgh this week. We visit the first farm in Allegheny County to take advantage of a rule change that allows small farms to be preserved. A newly renovated passive house in State College promotes sustainability, energy efficiency and affordability. We also hear about the movement among churches in Pennsylvania to help solve the climate crisis. Plus, we have advice on how to reduce carbon emissions at home. We also have news about a wildfire in the Allegheny National Forest, a liquified natural gas export facility and polluting lawn equipment.
11/10/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for November 3, 2023

U.S. Steel unveiled two battery-powered locomotives it will use at its plants outside of Pittsburgh. It’s a small step to reduce the carbon footprint of one of the top greenhouse gas polluters in Pa. We’ll also hear about the legacy of the first lawsuit against the makers of the weedkiller Roundup, alleging it caused cancer, and why toxic pesticides are still on the market. Plus, what the auto workers’ strike and tentative agreement with American carmakers have to do with the transition to electric vehicles. News about a voluntary agreement between gas driller CNX and DEP to monitor air and other measures, a canceled offshore wind project, and a court decision that prohibits Pennsylvania from joining a carbon trading program to reduce power plant emissions.
11/3/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for October27, 2023

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is looking to educate the public about the problems invasive plants cause to local ecosystems and why using native species in gardens and yards is so important. We talk with Fernando Treviño, DEP's head of environmental justice, who says he wants impacted communities to have "a real voice and [be] part of the process from the beginning." Plus, we talk with Sandra Steingraber, lead author on the latest edition of a compendium of peer-reviewed scientific literature and other reports that show health risks associated with fracking. We have news about new federal money to make the electric grid climate-ready, state money to convert lawns to meadows, and an agricultural fair for kids in Allentown.  
10/27/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for October 20, 2023

Insurance premiums could rise as more severe storms cause downed trees and dump water on Pennsylvania. We’ll also hear about a series of public meetings to learn about the health impacts of the February train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Plus, we take a closer at the news that Pa. will get parts of two federally-backed hydrogen hubs. We have news about federal funds for improving the tree canopy in the Pittsburgh area, capping off old oil and gas wells and supporting green manufacturing.  Plus, a new solar project is coming to a Pittsburgh neighborhood amid news that Pa. is among the worst for renewable energy development.  
10/20/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for October 13, 2023

Eight months after the train derailment and toxic chemical spill, some residents of East Palestine are still living away from home because they fear for their health. We'll also hear how deer are grazing on young trees and native plants in Pittsburgh's parks. Plus, tiny freshwater jellyfish have been living in the Great Lakes for a century. So why don't we know more about them? We have news about the selection of two hydrogen hubs for Pennsylvania, an injection well in Fayette County, a new hellbender license plate and more.
10/12/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for October 6, 2023

A group of doctors at UPMC pushed the Pittsburgh hospital system to do things like reduce waste and switch chemicals. Now the effort is gaining momentum. We’ll also talk with climatologist Michael E. Mann about his new book that looks back millions of years into Earth’s history to help us survive the climate crisis. Plus, environmentalists trawl local waterways in search of little plastic pellets that could harm wildlife. We have news about a potential lawsuit over plastic pollution in the Ohio River, EPA’s rejection of parts of U.S. Steel’s air quality permit for the Clairton Coke Works, and climate activists in Harrisburg.
10/6/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 29, 2023

A second injection well to dispose of fracking waste was approved in a Pittsburgh suburb, but many residents are unhappy with the decision. Also, a new study looks at how climate change has impacted poison ivy in Pennsylvania using museum specimens that date back to the 1840s. Plus, the Biden administration announced a new jobs program to tackle climate change. It’s based on a Depression-era program that changed the landscape across the country. We talk with climate activists who are biking across Pennsylvania to demand action. News about bowhunting in Pittsburgh’s parks, Pittsburgh’s plastic bag ban and Pennsylvania’s expanded monitoring plan for PFAS in waterways.
9/29/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 22, 2023

At a contentious meeting, an Ohio commission delayed a vote to approve fracking under state parks. A production about fossil fuel extraction is headed to western Pennsylvania. “Ezell, Ballad of a Land Man” delves into the complex issues of fracking and belonging. We talk with its writer and a local advocate about why it resonates with our region. Plus, we head to an orchard in Mercer County using regenerative farming techniques like spreading manure from local goats. And we stop at the first-ever Pittsburgh County Fair celebrating urban farming.  We have news about an updated environmental justice policy for Pennsylvania and a new paper shows that utilities and regulators will need to consider how home energy storage systems will affect the grid.
9/22/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 15, 2023

Groups say proposals to use fracked natural gas to produce hydrogen in Western Pennsylvania pose health and climate risks. An investigation in Ohio alleges that many people whose names are on public comments in favor of fracking in state parks say they did not submit them. We'll also hear from an author who revisited the Youghiogheny River of his youth to find some changes for the better. Plus, the federal government wants to put the salamander mussel on the endangered species list. We revisit a story that joins researchers surveying the Allegheny River for the mudpuppy salamander that's critical for the mussel's survival.  We have news about ticks, spotted lanternfly's risk to Pennsylvania forests, and the hellbender salamander.
9/15/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 8, 2023

Invasive snails have gained a foothold in Pennsylvania, crowding out native species. We join a team surveying Lake Erie for mysterysnails.  We talk to people dealing with the latest summer heat wave about their thoughts on climate change.  And a new documentary takes a fresh look at the life and death of coal in Appalachia. Plus, we take a look at what’s next for Hays Woods, Pittsburgh’s newest city park. We have news about PFAS, Pennsylvania’s Trail of the Year, and spotted lanternflies in Pittsburgh.
9/8/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 1, 2023

A new distillery in Northwestern Pennsylvania makes alcohol from sunflowers but also has an environmental education center and the world's longest bar made from a continuous piece of wood. We head to the Boundary Waters and Canoe Area Wilderness on Minnesota's border with Canda, where researchers and Indigenous leaders are reviving an age-old tradition of using fire to manage the land. We have news about a plan to bowhunt in two Pittsburgh parks to manage deer, a vote to create a climate action plan in Allegheny County, and criticism of a request to burn tires at a waste coal plant.
9/1/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for August 25, 2023

Many people are paying stormwater fees on their utility bills, but don't really understand the projects they fund are helping to reduce pollution and flooding from storms. And, a new video series gives tips on combatting climate change through things we can control at home. Plus, finding ways to make a wedding more sustainable can feel overwhelming, but there are afforable ways to say "I do" to a greener wedding.  News about the Chesapeake Bay, new electric vehicle charging stations coming to Pa., spotted lanternflies are decreasing in parts of the state, and why one borough is suspending its climate program.
8/25/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for August 18, 2023

A recent study found children living near gas wells had an increased risk of developing a cancer called lymphoma, while people with asthma had a four to five times greater chance of having an asthma attack. One researcher calls the results “a bombshell.” We have reactions from parents and activists at a community meeting to address the health concerns. And, after dozens of malfunctions and 15 air quality violations at Shell's Beaver County ethane cracker, a new investigation looks at how well the Pennsylvania DEP is monitoring the massive facility and how the company reports incidents to the agency. Plus, a champion stone skipper who got his start on Lake Erie talks about his technique and his world record of 88 skips.  
8/18/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for August 11, 2023

The federal government is considering the creation of a marine sanctuary in the Pennsylvania portion of Lake Erie to help preserve shipwrecks, but it won’t stop recreation on the lake. We’ll also sort the facts from fiction when it comes to the concerns over solar panel installations. Plus, we’ll hear from the author of a new book on climate resilience who hopes to offer strategies to deal with the climate crisis so no one is left behind.  News about solar on farms and schools, the cost of climate adaptation for Pa. municipalities, the price tag for a year without RGGI in Pennsylvania, and why more men are being exposed to harmful chemicals in personal care products.
8/11/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for August 4, 2023

We head to Cumberland County, where hikers who make it to the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail are taking part in a tradition and friendly competition of eating a half gallon of ice cream. Also, we talk to experts about how global heatwaves this summer are directly tied to climate change. We'll also learn why Western Pennsylvania is critical to stopping the spread of raccoon rabies. Plus, we talk with a Pennsylvania photographer who won a national prize for capturing the image of a female Baltimore oriole collecting horsehair for her nest. News about the 6-month anniversary of the East Palestine train derailment, a new study showing health improvement after a coke plant closed in Allegheny County, and a fine for Sunoco for its Mariner East pipeline.  
8/4/202328 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 28, 2023

We talk with scientists who discovered that a songbird rare in Pennsylvania is now breeding in the state. Plus, we explain why experts and community groups are calling for EPA to ban vinyl chloride, the chemical that was released and burned from train cars in the East Palestine derailment. And who is a relatively new air pollution rule in Allegheny County meant to protect?  News about a $5 million settlement from Shell, heat islands in Philadelphia, wildfires in Pa., and natural gas drilling.  
7/28/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 21, 2023

Smoke from this year's Canadian wildfire season is likely just the beginning. We talk with a fire ecology expert about the role of climate change in wildfires and what can be done about it. Only a few states have constitutional amendments guaranteeing clean air and water. There's a movement to change that.  We'll also hear about a new study that looks at radioactive materials in waterways, which could have come from wastewater treatment plants that accept landfill runoff contaminated with fracking waste. News about a study to measure methane reductions from Pennsylvania dairy farms, another sinkhole forms along the Mariner East pipeline, and discussions about a natural gas severance tax are happening once again in Harrisburg. 
7/21/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 14, 2023

We head out to a summer camp that helps build confidence and an appreciation for nature. Plus, we visit a farm in Pittsburgh that teaches neighbors how to grow and cook seasonal vegetables. We then talk with another urban farmer in Pittsburgh whose new book teaches children how to grow a tomato and community. The oldest African American-owned farm in the U.S., located in Pennsylvania, received a special dedication leading up to the 250th birthday of America in 2026. News about toxic PFAS in drinking water, climate effects on teen mental health, and renewable energy projects.
7/14/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 7, 2023

Activists gathered to protest a rush of proposed drilling leases on Ohio public lands, including a beloved state park. In Pennsylvania, a program helps forest owners sustainably manage their lands and help mitigate climate change. And a project is seeking Pa. owners of former mineland for an effort to plant native trees and restore the forest. Plus, an urban farmer inspires healthy eating in Pittsburgh. News about Pa.'s program to encourage electric vehicles, Norfolk Southern's progress in removing contaminated soil from the derailment site, and how climate change is increasing the risk of Lyme disease.
7/7/202329 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 30, 2023

Walleye fishermen Chase Cominsky and Jacob Runyan were on quite a streak. They won fishing tournament after tournament--rewarded with expensive boats and tens of thousands of dollars in cash. But last fall, it all came crashing down when they were caught cheating at a championship event on Lake Erie. What the judge found and what happened next. Then, we head out into the wilds of Pennsylvania with the people who keep an eye on the state’s bears.  Plus, news about DEP's new secretary and impact fees from fracking.
6/30/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 23, 2023

National transportation officials held hearings in East Palestine, Ohio, to find answers about the Norfolk Southern train derailment. Testimony casts doubt on the decision to vent and burn vinyl chloride. Plus, wildfire smoke is pouring into the U.S. from Canada. How does that impact youth sports? The spongy moth damages Pennsylvania forests every summer. We talk with DCNR about what it's doing to prevent the worst damage. Plus, the garden of a refugee community in Pittsburgh helps sustain its own members and the neighborhood where it grows. News about a drought watch in Pennsylvania, fines for killing a bald eagle, and the closure of coal plants in Pa.  
6/23/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 16, 2023

We talk with the EPA regional administrator about environmental test results for samples taken from farms near East Palestine, after the train derailment and fires there. And, we visit a Black urban farmer in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in our series, “Sowing Soil with Soul.” Plus, every part of an invasive plant now common along Pennsylvania roadsides, is poisonous. We'll tell you how to identify it.
6/16/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 9, 2023

Beaver County residents protested Shell's ethane cracker because of recent air pollution violations. Meanwhile, officials met with residents in East Palestine, Ohio, to discuss the results of health surveys taken after the train derailment and fires there. But many people affected are still wondering where to get help for their symptoms.  And we talk with a Penn State researcher about a UN treaty that could end global plastic pollution, maybe. Plus, climate activists are looking to change the way investment firms do business. News about wildfire smoke, hurricane season, and the proposal by the Maryland National Guard to fly fighter jets just 100 feet off the ground in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
6/9/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 2, 2023

Some residents of the Mon Valley say money from an air pollution settlement with U.S. Steel isn't being spent on the public health and environmental projects it was supposed to fund. We'll also dig into state-led efforts to thwart ESG investment strategies that consider risks like climate change. And, teenagers who live in the shadow of a massive new petrochemical plant and nearby the East Palestine train derailment are becoming more aware of environmental threats. News about climate change predictions for Philadelphia, an EPA fine for an Allegheny County polluter, federal funds for orphaned oil and gas wells, and an effort to reduce pollution to the Chesapeake Bay.
6/2/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for May 26, 2023

If you shine a black light on a southern flying squirrel, it glows pink. But why? We dive into the questions about biofluorescent animals. Plus, we'll hear about how researchers are using a program trained to identify bird species from hours of birdsong recorded in the forest. It's helping in forest and bird conservation. Plus, a $10 million fine for Shell for air pollution violations at its Beaver County ethane cracker and news about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
5/26/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for May 19, 2023

After a coal-fired power plant closed, people gathered at a public performance to memorialize what it meant to the community. We were there. And, we talk with the director of The Incline about a seven-newsroom collaboration that examines air pollution and misinformation in southwestern Pennsylvania.  Plus, researchers are looking at how drinking water from private wells might increase the risk of illness among children. News about federal proposals to curb pollution from power plants and leaks from pipelines.
5/19/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for May 12, 2023

Shell's ethane cracker in Beaver County has gotten off to a rocky start, with excessive emissions, permit violations and reported odors. Now, some supporters are not questioning if Shell can be a good neighbor. And a new book looks at the opportunities and challenges of reducing our exposure to chemicals to reduce the risk of cancer. Plus, energy efficiency programs that are climate- and budget-friendly. The "Dirty Dozen" list of big climate polluters in Pennsylvania is out, and the Pittsburgh area is a big contributor.
5/12/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for May 5, 2023

At dusk in fields in Pennsylvania and throughout the Great Lakes region in springtime, an odd-looking bird takes to the sky for an elaborate, acrobatic display. We take you there. Three months after the derailment, we look at how people in East Palestine are working through their anxiety with few mental health resources available. Also, a developer pulls the plug on a Clinton County power plant. And invasive spotted lanternfly eggs are hatching. How to take care of these pests, even the young ones.
5/5/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for April 28, 2023

EPA shared the good news with East Palestine residents: testing shows no soil contamination from the train derailment. But some residents say their own tests show they’re still being exposed to toxins. We’ll also hear from investors putting their money behind startups that help fight climate change. Plus, a new study wants to find out if the aggressive, springtime behavior of a typically shy, forest-dwelling bird could be genetic. Also, why Pennsylvania may be seeing more displays of the northern lights in the coming years.
4/28/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for April 21, 2023

Thousands of tons of contaminated soil from the train derailment in East Palestine are going to an incinerator near the Pennsylvania border in East Liverpool, Ohio. Activists say it has a history of violating the Clean Air Act. We'll also hear why a conservation group named the Ohio River the second most endangered river in the country. Plus, Senator Casey touts federal investment for cleaning up waterways polluted by coal mining pollution. A new map highlights renewable energy projects in all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
4/21/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for April 14, 2023

A decade ago, a train derailed in New Jersey, releasing vinyl chloride – the same chemical from the East Palestine disaster. Residents still have questions about long-term health impacts. Meanwhile, lawmakers and unions are pushing for stronger railroad safety regulations. Plus, in Ohio, a new law was signed by the governor requiring state-owned land, like state parks, to be leased for gas drilling. Environmental groups are suing. We’ll also hear from the new Democratic chair of the Pa. House energy committee on his priorities. 
4/14/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for April 7, 2023

We have the details about a tentative settlement between U.S.Steel and plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the 2018 fire at its coke works that knocked out pollution controls for three months. We also hear from the author of a new book about phosphorus, why humans have gone to great lengths to get it for farming, and how it is fueling harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes. Plus, we meet critters that are using a new, springtime habitat in the Laurel Highlands. And the largest coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania will be closed by July.  
4/7/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for March 31, 2023

When the train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, students there were weeks away from the opening night of their school musical. They decided the show must go on. We're there for the dress rehearsal. We'll also hear from the author of a new book about the 1948 air pollution disaster that made Donora, Pennsylvania famous. Plus, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is holding meetings to get feedback about bringing back the American marten to the state's forests. Plus news about U.S. Steel, and the budget for the PA DEP.
3/31/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for March 24, 2023

A former EPA administrator is calling the agency's response to the train derailment in East Palestine too weak. She says it's deferring too much to the state of Ohio. Questions are being asked about the cleanup and testing of the creeks polluted by the derailment. Some researchers say Ohio EPA isn't testing surface water for enough chemicals. Also, trout season is nearly here, with opening day on April 1. We catch up with officials stocking a local lake with some of the 3 million trout that will be released throughout Pennsylvania this year.   
3/24/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for March 17, 2023

Spring starts on March 20, but for many places, spring has been here for a while. How does that impact nature?  We have the story of one family who isn’t sure if their home or water is safe. We talk with U.S. EPA’s onsite coordinator in East Palestine, who breaks down how the government is monitoring chemical pollution. We have news about fines for U.S. Steel, flaring at Shell’s ethane cracker, and proposed federal rules on PFAS.
3/17/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for March 10, 2023

People in East Palestine want to know whether their homes are polluted by long-lasting chemicals called dioxins from the train derailment last month. We'll also hear from residents near the derailment site who are finding the investents they've made in their homes are worth a lot less after the crash. Plus, an environmental group is trying to stop the US Forest Service from clear cutting a section of national forest to promote the growth of white oak trees.  We have news about the Clairton Coke Works air permit and Pa. Gov. Shapiro's environmental priorities in his state budget.
3/10/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for March 3, 3023

We have updates on the train derailment in East Palestine, where many people say they are deeply skeptical of officials who say it is safe to return to their homes. Meanwhile, Republican politicians are walking a fine line in East Palestine: showing concern for residents without being seen as liberal environmentalists. And EPA orders Norfolk Southern to test for dioxins. The Bearded Ladies Cabaret in Philadelphia tackles climate change with a comedy show in drag, on ice.
3/4/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for February 24, 2024: The latest on the Ohio train derailment

We have more on the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. We hear from residents in Beaver County who feel left out of the response and farmers concerned about the black soot they found on their homes and property. Experts are now warning dioxins could be present. Plus, some are looking for additional soil and water testing from independent researchers outside of the government.
2/24/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for February 17, 2023

We have the latest developments of the East Palestine train derailment that polluted the area with toxic chemicals. We report on a community meeting where tensions ran high as residents asked questions about air and water quality and health impacts. We ask if stricter regulations could have averted the East Palestine train derailment.  Plus, a new memoir shares how the life of an environmental policy expert was informed by the work of a Pittsburgh environmental champion. And, we have news about a malfunction at the Shell ethane cracker that led to the flaring of chemicals at the plant.
2/17/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for February 10, 2023

Thousands of residents were allowed to return to their homes after an evacuation order was lifted following the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. We discuss what we know about air and water issues in the aftermath of the crash. We also have reactions to a government report that finds many conventional oil and gas drillers in Pennsylvania aren't following regulations. Plus, lead from bullets is showing up in birds of prey that eat animals shot by hunters and farmers. We'll hear about solutions to the problem. We also have news about an intent to sue Shell over air quality violations at its new ethane cracker, and an order from USEPA to a scrap metal recycler to limit emissions.  
2/10/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for February 3, 2023

Can new recycling technologies that break plastics down into their chemical components save us from the plastic waste crisis? We talk with an environmental reporter about a new government study that casts doubt on so-called "advanced" plastic recycling. The North Country National Scenic Trail has only about 20 known hikers who have trekked the entire 4,800 miles through eight states, including Pennsylvania. But in the farm country of northwestern Ohio, one more name is about to be added to the list.
2/3/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for January 27, 2023

One stop for some birds migrating south from Pennsylvania is the cloud forest in Costa Rica. But the cool, misty mountains are getting warmer and drier. We have a report on how birds there are adapting. Plus, closer to home, birders and naturalists oppose new development next to a wetland in Huntington County. They are trying to stop a truck stop from damaging the sensitive habitat. January is National Radon Action month, and that means it's time to test your home for the radioactive, cancer-causing gas.
1/27/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for January 20, 2023

One way to reduce the carbon footprint of your home is to buy an electric heat pump. We look at the pros and cons of this climate solution. The National Weather Service wants the public to become “river ice spotters” to help monitor for ice jams on area rivers. Plus, Frick Park has a new resident: Castor the beaver. We have news about new PFAS standards for drinking water in Pennsylvania, the Chesapeake Bay, and the new Pa. DEP secretary. Finally, scientists are hoping that sound can be the key to restoring oyster populations around the world.
1/20/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for January 13, 2023

State regulators call out the conventional oil and gas industry for a widespread failure to comply with Pennsylvania environmental regulations. And, an art exhibit aims to give trees the legal tools to protect themselves. Plus, we go forest bathing in Frick Park to improve our mental and physical health. We also have news about a proposed new federal limit for soot, an investigation into a Christmas Day natural gas explosion, and Pa. Governor-elect Josh Shapiro's choice for DEP secretary.  
1/13/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for January 6, 2023

Environmental groups say they found high levels of benzene in the air in the Mon Valley near Pittsburgh and want federal regulators to step in. Also, natural history museum specimens like mice stuffed with cotton and preserved for decades give researchers important information about the environment. But these collections are at risk. Plus, the US Postal Service reverses course and commits to converting its fleet of vehicles to electric.
1/6/202328 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 30, 2022

This week, we're looking back to some of the environmental issues we covered in 2022, like hydrogen. It's been seen as the clean fuel of the future for decades. Now the Biden administration is putting money into it. So, is it finally hydrogen’s time? We'll also hear about towns in Pennsylvania trying to get ahead of climate change, extreme weather and flooding. Plus, we talk with the author of a new bird guide for enthusiasts and beginners alike.
12/30/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 23, 2022

This week, we revisit some of our favorite stories about nature, food and environmental champions. 2022 was the 60th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," a book that questioned the indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals and became an instant classic. We move from nonfiction to poetry that explores the damage people have done to each other and nature. Plus, we look at life along the Delaware River with an angler who is witnessing a changing landscape. And we talk with the author of a cookbook that offers vegan versions of Midwest comfort food.
12/23/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 16, 2022

Lawmakers in Ohio passed a bill to make it easier to frack in state parks, raising fears of pollution and disruption of outdoor recreation. We also follow up on the massive gas leak at a Cambria County storage site where the company failed to clean up oil and gas brine spilled on the ground. Plus, we head out on a walk with Tree Pittsburgh to learn how to identify trees in the winter. We also have news about fines for a contractor for dumping gas waste around Fayette County, air pollution violations at Shell’s new ethane cracker, and a new program to help farmers make money. And, we find out why Cabot Oil and Gas, which just pleaded no contest to 15 criminal charges, including nine felonies for polluting drinking water in Dimock, Pa., is allowed to frack under the town.
12/16/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 9, 2022

This week, we take an in-depth look at a first-of-its-kind wind energy project approved for construction in Lake Erie. But the biggest barrier to more wind projects on the Great Lakes is public opposition. Plus, residents in Dimock, a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania, will finally have clean drinking water after a fracking company pleaded no contest to polluting their private wells more than a decade ago. 
12/9/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for December 2, 2022

A massive leak at a natural gas storage facility in western Pennsylvania raises a lot of questions. We’ll also hear about a genetically modified American chestnut tree that can resist a deadly blight that’s on track to be deregulated by the federal government. And testing is crucial on farms and at wildlife centers to make sure that birds are not infected with a highly contagious avian flu that’s already led to the deaths of more than 4 million birds in Pennsylvania.  We also have news about air pollution rules for conventional (not fracked) gas and oil wells, and the failure of Pennsylvania to meet its Chesapeake Bay goals. Plus, Rutgers University develops an oyster reef ecosystem to prevent beach erosion.
12/2/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for November 18, 2022

This week, we discuss how the $2 billion in tax credit Gov. Wolf just signed into law benefits natural gas, including creating a hydrogen hub in Pennsylvania. We'll also hear about a solar farm project that will provide electricity to the University of Pittsburgh. But students calling for the school to divest from fossil fuels aren't satisfied.  Plus, Shell's ethane cracker officially opens. And an environmental reporter blows off some steam during a solo hike. We have news about the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and a fine for a gas company for spills of fracking fluid.
11/18/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for November 11, 2022

As climate change brings more risks to traditional farming, farmers are trying to make sure their crops survive. With the COP27 talks underway, the US and other wealthier nations are working to transition countries like South Africa away from fossil fuels. Plus, we visit an urban farm in Pittsburgh that teaches neighbors how to grow and cook seasonal veggies. And, a Philly hiking group is improving women’s wellness. We have news about federal money for abandoned mine cleanup and for projects for monitoring air quality. Pa. Governor Tom Wolf signs a $2 billion natural gas tax credit bill.
11/11/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for November 4, 2022

One company is mining Bitcoin to keep two waste coal power plants in Pennsylvania running. But what's the climate impact? A new report concludes that coal plants aren't doing enough to clean up coal ash disposal sites that are contaminating groundwater. Plus, an urban farmer in Pittsburgh had to overcome significant challenges to clean up her property to start her enterprise. We have news about microplastics in Pennsylvania waterways and federal funding to help coal communities.
11/4/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for October 28, 2022

Both John Fetterman and Dr. Mehmet Oz at one time were in favor of a moratorium on fracking, but now both support it. Do voters care? Meanwhile, the Pa. legislature just passed a $2 billion package of tax breaks meant to support the natural gas industry for decades. While the Clean Water Act regulated unchecked industrial pollution, it didn't cover contamination like pharmaceuticals, which are a danger to wildlife. Plus, as the Clean Water Act turns 50, some of its protections for wetlands and smaller bodies of water could be limited by an upcoming Supreme Court decision. News about Shell's Falcon pipeline and the Pa. DOH study of fracking and health.
10/28/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for October 21, 2022

Voters in one Ohio county are deciding if wind energy will be built in their community, but experts say their views may be colored by misinformation. We'll hear how the Clean Water Act, which just turned 50, revived the Delaware River. Plus, the garden of a refugee community in Pittsburgh helps sustain its own members and the neighborhood where it grows. And, we examine how a new rule in Allegheny County didn't stop air pollution from rising this month.
10/21/202228 minutes, 17 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for October 14, 2022

Fifty years ago, parts of the Delaware River stank, and fish couldn't survive in it. We look at how the Clean Water Act helped to revive this dead river. And, we have the first installment of a new series highlighting Black urban farmers growing food to sustain their communities. Plus, a new collection of climate fiction looks forward to a better world for the environment and for people. We have news about new Pennsylvania regulations for gas wells and PFAS in drinking water, and a petition against Ohio's injection well program.
10/14/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for October 8, 2022

We answer your questions about the impact of Shell's ethane cracker on the region's jobs, property values, and of course, air pollution. Meanwhile, the state health department is funding the University of Pittsburgh to study the impacts of fracking on health. But both groups pulled out of a public meeting about the work. We'll also hear about a nature preserve in Wyoming County that's now one of three new Pennsylvania parks. Plus, we have news about air regulations on gas wells, a solar farm in Armstrong County, and a new group on outdoor recreation.  
10/7/202228 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 30, 2022

In dozens of Pennsylvania towns, underground steam systems that heat buildings could be re-vamped, so they’re powered by renewable energy. But there’s competition: cheaper natural gas. We’ll also hear from President Biden’s climate envoy about what it will take to meet global greenhouse gas reduction goals. Plus, a new short documentary tells the story of a small, rural town trying to keep a fracking waste injection well out of their community to preserve their drinking water and save a rare salamander. We have news about PFAS in fracking wastewater in Ohio.
9/30/202229 minutes
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 23, 2022

This week, we learn about why white oak trees are in trouble and the lawsuit over a plan to cut them down in the Wayne National Forest. We also talk about the underground network that connects trees in forests and helps them communicate. Plus, the story of a hunter who discovered a full-grown American chestnut tree in a Delaware forest. We also have news about a global clean energy conference in Pittsburgh, pipelines, and spotted lanternflies.  
9/23/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 16, 2022

Climate change is fueling more flooding in Pennsylvania and throughout the Ohio Valley. This week, we’ll look at the relationship between climate change and flooding in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. And we’ll hear about how one town in Pennsylvania is trying to get ahead of the problem Plus, it’s the 60th anniversary of the publication of a book that questioned the indiscriminate use of synthetic chemicals and became an instant classic: Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. We also have news about zero-emissions buses in Pittsburgh, a large solar buy in Centre County, and bigger rebates for electric vehicles in Pennsylvania.
9/16/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 9, 2022

Street trees help cool cities, filter rainwater, and prevent flooding. We look at how Pennsylvania cities are overcoming the barriers to planting more. In Huntington County, birders and naturalists oppose new development next to a wetland. Plus, the creation of the Flight 93 National Memorial to honor the 40 crew and passengers who died there on 9/11 included treating mine pollution in the water nearby. News about conservation funding in Pennsylvania, federal funds for miners with black lung disease, and a controversial plan at a landfill that accepts fracking waste.
9/9/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for September 2, 2022

PFAS, called forever chemicals, is the latest worry over fracking. We talk to a reporter about how PFAS found in one man's well water could have come from fracking. One year later, the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ida linger for people in Pennsylvania. And, we talk with a conservationist about purple martins, which need human-made birdhouses to keep them from going extinct in the eastern U.S. Plus, news about a frack waste injection well in Allegheny County, air monitors in Delaware County, and monarch butterflies in the Lehigh Valley.
9/2/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for August 26, 2022

Susan Scott Peterson had been living in Pittsburgh for just a few weeks when she smelled it for the first time. The air was a little thick, a little hazy—and it smelled like a ripe porta-potty. It didn’t take long to figure out it was hydrogen sulfide, a sulfur-smelling gas emitted by U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, about fifteen miles south of her house. The plant manufactures coke, a fuel used in steelmaking—and it’s notorious for violating local pollution regulations. But what could she do about it? This is a story about the air we breathe, the risks we live with, and what it means to become a citizen of a place. It’s adapted from an episode produced in 2021 for Outside/In, a podcast by New Hampshire Public Radio. READ MORE: Reducing Outdoor Contaminants in Indoor Spaces (ROCIS) Articles about air pollution by The Allegheny Front Articles about the Clairton Coke Works by The Allegheny Front Resource list for groups working on air quality in Pittsburgh MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE INCLUDED PORTIONS OF “NOT DRUNK” (MIX-FULL-BAND-NO-VOCAL) AND “NOT DRUNK” (STEM-BASS)  BY THE JOY DROPS AND“FRESH LIFT”  BY SHANE IVERS, ALL LICENSED UNDER CC-BY 4.0. ADDITIONAL MUSIC BY BLUE DOT SESSIONS. ADDITIONAL SOUNDS EXCERPTED FROMSOUNDS OF CHANGE, MONICA137142, AND PREMNATH KUDVA, LICENSED UNDER CC-BY 4.0, AND FROM SOUNDBYLADYV, LICENSED UNDER CC SAMPLING +.
8/26/202229 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode August 19, 2022

A new study finds children living near fracking sites in Pennsylvania are at an increased risk of leukemia. Meanwhile, Energy Transfer is held criminally responsible for the damage done during the construction of its Mariner East pipeline. We also have answers to some of your questions about Shell's ethane cracker in Beaver County. We visit a small group of workers getting rid of the invasive plants in a Pittsburgh park…and they have four legs. And, teens learn how to sail the Pittsburgh rivers. Plus, a landmark climate law was signed by President Biden this week. A high school student says we should thank the activists, not the politicians. 
8/19/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for August 12, 2022

This week, we explore how tourism impacts local communities and their natural resources like the Canaan Valley in West Virginia. It’s become a trendy tourist destination, which is good for business, but it’s straining the resources of a county with just 7,000 year-round residents. We take a trip to Appalachia’s Ice Mountain, where rare plants have existed since the Ice Age, and cool air seeps out of ice vents deep in the rocks. Plus, a conversation with Pennsylvania’s first director of outdoor recreation.
8/12/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for August 5, 2022

This week, we have a special show about Indigenous people, land, water, and culture. Our first story looks at how the pawpaw, a fruit that mainly grows in the eastern US, continues to live in the memories and language of Indigenous people forced to move west. Then, we talk with an Indigenous scientist about her new book that contrasts conservation science with Indigenous knowledge about the natural world. Plus, a paddler from the Seneca Nation takes a 300-mile journey down the Allegheny River to draw attention to protecting it and all waterways. 
8/5/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 29, 2022

We talk with three families who are leaving or have left Beaver County because of Shell's ethane cracker, fearing pollution, and looking for better opportunities.  Pennsylvania is looking at bringing American martens, a small weasel, back to the state's forests. We talk with a wildlife biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Plus, we visit a one-of-a-kind prairie habitat in Pennsylvania, home to an endangered rattlesnake and wildflowers. And, news about the Chesapeake Bay and wild turkeys.
7/29/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 22, 2022

Residents in Greene County, Pennsylvania who say their water has been contaminated from a fracking incident want action. We’ll also hear about a PR campaign by natural gas companies that targets Black and Latino voters in Pennsylvania. A farmer says a nearby gas well is as loud as a jet engine from supercomputers — fueled by the gas —  mining cryptocurrency. Plus, news about environmental funding from the Pennsylvania state budget.
7/22/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 15, 2022

Residents of a tiny coal town in West Virginia went without clean water for more than a decade until a California nonprofit stepped in. We revisit the story of a volunteer who tried to restore a stream until Sunoco began building the Mariner East pipeline. Then, he watched as they polluted it. A new study follows in the footsteps of surveys going back 200 years when biodiversity was "unbelievable." Now those wild places are filled with invasive plants. Plus, how to spot poison hemlock, news about a fracking incident, and Gov. Wolf vetos an anti-climate bill. 
7/15/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 8, 2022

This week, we talk with a reporter with Inside Climate News who says the Supreme Court EPA decision could result in more expensive regulations for power plants. We also take a closer look at why Pennsylvania and other states are suing the US Postal Service over a lack of electric vehicles in its plan to replace its fleet. Researchers are using a program trained to identify bird species from hours of birdsong recorded in the forest to help with conservation. Plus, news about the spotted lanternfly, fracking in Allegheny County parks, and a poll that shows two-thirds of Pennsylvanians accept climate change.
7/8/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for July 1, 2022

Pennsylvania leaders in environment and energy react to the Supreme Court’s EPA climate ruling. Plus, we revisit our stories in the series Farmers Wanted, which examines the challenges of cultivating a new generation of farmers in Pennsylvania. We also replay our conversation with the author of a speculative novel about survival after climate disasters and plastic pollution. We have news about air quality in Allegheny County, and a Pittsburgh visit by the Energy Secretary, who called climate change the "war of our lifetimes."
7/1/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 24, 2022

Will a new regulation that curbs air pollution in the Mon Valley give residents more clean air days? Some aren't so sure. A new study shows black lung disease in younger coal miners is caused by silica dust. While the federal government wants to reduce their exposure to it, for those who already have the fatal disease, it’s too late. Plus, a discussion on the catastrophe that coal has left behind. And a look at what could make agriculture a more sustainable job choice in the future. 
6/24/202229 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 17, 2022

This week, we join the Andy Warhol Museum at a property in Butler County that was once plagued by acid mine drainage, but now it’s a paradise for migrating birds and art. We also talk with the author of a new bird guide that’s for enthusiasts and beginners alike. Plus, a massive new proposal to build an LNG export plant along the Delaware faces environmental justice concerns.  
6/17/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 10, 2022

It's been years in the planning and building stages. Now, Shell's ethane cracker along the Ohio River is finally going online this summer. This week, we're talking to people in the communities surrounding the massive plant -- from neighbors who are fearful of pollution to others who are hopeful for new jobs. And, how one activist is looking to protect public health while others are preparing to keep an eye on the Ohio for plastic pollution from the plant.
6/10/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for June 3, 2022

Pittsburgh is helping residents prepare for a rainier future. And community advocates want racist housing policies taken into account when planning for green infrastructure. Plus, the author of a new book says facing our emotions about the climate crisis is just as important as taking action.
6/3/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for May 27, 2022

Conservationists are working hard to save a plant so rare, few have ever seen it. And entomologist Doug Tallamy wants people to ditch half of their manicured, green lawn in favor of native plants to feed bees and other pollinators. We’ll also meet members of a garden group who are gently encouraging people to retire their lawnmowers.
5/27/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for May 20, 2022

We examine why the climate crisis is causing increased cases of anxiety. We also talk with a psychologist about managing those fears and moving towards solutions. And, how to help farmers who struggle with mental health issues. Plus, air pollution news for Allegheny County.
5/20/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for May 13, 2022

Museum animal specimens give researchers important clues about the environment. But these collections are at risk. We also talk with an author about an intersectional approach to environmentalism. And residents and activists don't think new rules go far enough to address air pollution from the Clairton Coke Works.
5/13/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for May 6, 2022

We discuss where the Pennsylvania candidates for governor and US Senate stand on the environment. Federal infrastructure money is headed to Pa. for mass transit, but how best to spend it?  Plus, a company wants to use water from a trout stream to frack. And a little love for plants. 
5/6/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for April 29, 2022

Hydrogen has been seen as the clean fuel of the future for decades. Now, a new effort is pushing for southwestern Pennsylvania to become a "hydrogen hub." A new kind of pipeline would be needed to transport CO2 for storage underground. But a report warns of the dangers of these pipelines and a lack of federal oversight. Plus, a Pittsburgh-led team documents the ivory-billed woodpecker thought to be extinct.
4/29/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for April 22, 2022

More cities and towns, like Pittsburgh, are banning single-use plastic bags in stores and restaurants. But do they work? We speak with an author of a book about the first Earth Day who says it was the inclusion of all types of people that was truly genius. Plus, news about RGGI, bird flu and the Chesapeake Bay.
4/22/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

April 15, 2022

A new book looks at how local governments have dealt with the fracking boom. An artist is giving the public a new way to look at a buried urban waterway. We join an outdoor club rappelling down a steep Pittsburgh hillside to pick up trash. Plus, the last coal-fired power plant in Allegheny County closes.
4/15/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for April 8, 2022

What will it take to decarbonize transportation? We talk with one of the authors of the latest UN climate report. Climate change is impacting birds, says an author of a book that chronicles bird migrations. How changes to the federal flood insurance program are helping one Philly neighborhood. Plus, Pittsburgh is one step closer to banning single-use plastic bags.
4/8/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for April 1, 2022

A federal agency fined Energy Transfer for a pipeline spill in Ohio. Is it too little, too late? And a proposed cracker plant in Ohio gets a critical permit. Plus, how fire is helping create new habitat for an imperiled songbird. We have tips on what to do if an invasive jumping worm is invading your garden.   
4/1/202229 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

PFAS in drinking water; Avian Flu in Pa.; Industrial Fines and a Spill

A proposed rule would limit 2 PFAS chemicals, linked to a long list of health problems, in drinking water in Pennsylvania. An outbreak of avian flu in Pa. could threaten poultry flocks, big and small. An artist gives her view of the Delaware River. Plus, more fines for U.S. Steel and a leak at Shell’s ethane cracker.
3/25/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Episode for March 18, 2022

We take an electric car for a trial run and answer your questions. Pennsylvania sets a PFAS limit for drinking water. And a birding advocate wants to make outdoor spaces more accessible and equitable for all. Plus, a fed-up pipeline activist is running for governor.
3/18/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Glass recycling; PennFuture's Jacqui Bonomo; Nearly $3M in fines for U.S. Steel

New glass recycling dropoff locations opened in Allegheny County. We look at why some municipalities don’t recycle glass at the curb. And, we talk to a longtime environmental leader about her career and why she’s still hopeful. Plus, more fines for U.S. Steel.
3/11/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Using geothermal in Philly; Poetry that grieves for nature

We ask: Could Philadelphia use geothermal energy to meet its climate goals? And, a new book of poetry explores the damage that people have done to each other and nature. Vultures may have a bad name, but they serve an important function. Plus, the construction of the Mariner East pipeline is finally complete.
2/25/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Plugging oil/gas wells; SCOTUS climate case; A new champion for outdoor recreation

The federal infrastructure law will give $330 million to Pa. to clean up abandoned oil/gas wells. Plus, the Supreme Court is set to hear a case about regulating greenhouse gas emissions that could have big implications. And, a conversation with Pennsylvania’s first director of outdoor recreation. 
2/18/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Connecting severe winter storms with climate change; What Indigenous science can teach us about conservation

Severe winter storms can make running a business more unpredictable. But what's the climate connection? And, a new book contrasts Western conservation with Indigenous science. We check out what it's like to live on an island in the Great Lakes. Plus, debunking myths about the spotted lanternfly.
2/11/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Fracking and the risk of premature death; solar misconceptions

A study finds the elderly living near fracking sites have a higher risk of dying prematurely. Plus, a pipeline company is charged with environmental crimes.‌ ‌A climate reporter wants to hear from you. And, a look at the role of fire at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
2/4/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

U.S. Steel lawsuit; deadly tick-borne disease found in Pa.

Plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against U.S. Steel asked a judge to find the company violated the Clean Air Act 12,000 times after a 2018 fire. A rare but deadly virus carried by deer ticks has been found in high numbers in a township park. A city kid learns to love winter through a cold and snowy camping trip.
1/28/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Cryptocurrencies and waste coal; Impaired streams; Unplugging in the woods

How waste coal is fueling Bitcoin in Pennsylvania. A new state report says a third of Pa. streams are impaired. A grant will help disadvantaged farmers get conservation assistance in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We take a winter hike to appreciate nature and head to a cabin in the woods to unplug.
1/21/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Remembering E.O. Wilson; Bees in Pa.; Black farmers

The life and work of famed biologist E.O. Wilson. A researcher is hoping to fill in the gaps on Pennsylvania's bee populations. Black farmers in Pittsburgh are looking to provide fresh, local food in an area with no grocery store. A local teen focuses on litter.
1/15/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Coal's catastrophic environmental legacy; Farming made easier

We talk to a reporter who has chronicled the catastrophic environmental legacy of coal. Advocates hope new federal money will help clean up waterways polluted from mine drainage. A startup uses technology to make farming easier. The Mariner East pipeline, plagued by delays and environmental damage, will soon be finished.
1/7/202228 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Some (good) news stories from 2021

Some good news stories from 2021: Conservationists work to keep a pristine glacial lake near Erie protected. Pennsylvanians have a lot of choices when it comes to electricity providers. A long-time environmental journalist reflects on his career. Plus, enterprising siblings recycle cans for cash.
12/30/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Stories from 2021: Black bears in Pa.; Dragonflies on the Ohio; DumpBusters in Pittsburgh

We feature environmental stories that gave us hope in 2021. We head into the woods to learn about Pa.’s black bears. We join a crew cleaning up trash at an illegal dump site. Plus, we hear from the director of a nonprofit focused on bringing fresh produce to people, and researchers who found an indicator of good water quality in the Ohio River.
12/24/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Organic farmers squeezed by inflation; A new sci-fi novel imagines a future "Scrappalachia" full of plastic pollution

We learn how local organic farmers are getting squeezed by inflation. The author of a new sci-fi book about plastic pollution envisions the region as “Scrappalachia.” Plus, we learn about a common little owl that blends in with its surroundings, but can’t hide its distinctive calls."
12/18/202129 minutes, 47 seconds
Episode Artwork

Watching a stream get polluted by Sunoco; Deer with Covid; Combat training over Pa Wilds

The story of a volunteer whose conservation efforts were thwarted by construction of the Mariner East pipeline. We talk with the researcher who found deer infected with the coronavirus. The Maryland Air National Guard wants to lower the altitude for combat training over a rural part of Pennsylvania, but residents and local businesses have questions.
12/10/202129 minutes, 51 seconds
Episode Artwork

Inside the Clairton Coke Works; Overcoming climate anxiety; Finding land for farming

New documents reveal the decrepit conditions at the Clairton Coke Works that led to a massive fire in 2018. A coach for activists says it’s normal to have anxiety over environmental destruction. Aspiring Pennsylvania farmers are struggling to find land. Plus, a new vegan cookbook for regional comfort food.  
12/3/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Living with it: The story of one family and Pittsburgh’s polluted air

Susan Scott Peterson had been living in Pittsburgh for just a few weeks when she smelled it for the first time. The air was a little thick, a little hazy—and it smelled like a ripe porta-potty. It didn’t take long to figure out it was hydrogen sulfide, a sulfur-smelling gas emitted by U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, about fifteen miles south of her house. The plant manufactures coke, a fuel used in steelmaking—and it’s notorious for violating local pollution regulations. But what could she do about it? This is a story about the air we breathe, the risks we live with, and what it means to become a citizen of a place. This story is adapted from an episode produced for Outside/In, a podcast by New Hampshire Public Radio.
11/23/202129 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Pollution's mental toll: How air, water and climate change shape our mental health

The Allegheny Front and Environmental Health News investigated the mental health impacts of air and water pollution and climate change in western Pennsylvania.  We found alarming evidence that residents throughout the region are likely suffering changes to their brains due to pollution in the surrounding environment. Reporting also uncovered the growing gap in mental health care as more people are traumatized by worsening climate change. More at https://www.alleghenyfront.org/mentalhealth
11/19/202129 minutes, 1 second
Episode Artwork

Climate change solutions in Central Pennsylvania; the struggles of farming

A new collaboration hopes to get people in Central Pennsylvania talking about climate change. We also examine the mental health struggles of farmers, and how an aging farming population in Pennsylvania means that the future of small family farming is changing. 
11/12/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Opposition to offshore wind; Elk corridor; GASP's new leader

Some people along the coast of New Jersey are saying no to offshore wind power. They worry about preserving the character and natural beauty of NJ beaches. We talk with the new leader of a clean air watchdog group in Pittsburgh. A professor wants to create a corridor throughout the Appalachians for elk. Our reporter escapes to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.
11/5/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Hunters and anglers on climate; creating free-flowing rivers

Climate change is making it harder to hunt and fish. An advocacy group wants hunters and anglers to speak out. Pennsylvania Senate passed a resolution disapproving of the state joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Taking down dams to create a free-flowing Mahoning River is not without controversy. Consumer choices are hard when you want to do good for the environment. One expert says don't sweat the small stuff.
10/29/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Metal recycler in Allegheny County the target of EPA; Light pollution to be curbed in Pittsburgh

Metalico, a metal recycler on Neville Island in Allegheny County, is now the target of EPA. It has been a nuisance to the community for years. Pittsburgh has a new light pollution ordinance. An astronomer advocates for dark skies. Criminal charges against a pipeline company do little to spark action in the Pa. legislature.
10/23/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

The future of Pa. forests; the rebirth of a western Pa. river; the right to sign a gas lease

Researchers say too many deer and invasive plants are threatening the long-term survival of Pa.'s forests. A filmmaker of a new documentary about a massive effort to clean up a Western Pa. river says it's a hopeful story. The author of a book about individual liberty and private property rights argues that signing a gas lease shouldn't be one of those rights.
10/15/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Wind turbines off the Jersey Shore; Mariner East criminal charges; Help to make your yard wild

More wind turbines in the ocean mean more renewable energy on the grid. But what's the impact on fisheries? Pennsylvania's attorney general files criminal charges for the Mariner East pipeline.  A new group is encouraging people to retire their lawnmowers and leafblowers and plant native species. 
10/8/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

More renewable energy means more power lines; Climate action in Pa.

Transmission lines are key to more renewable energy, but some don't want them on their land. Students take to the streets for a climate strike. We get reaction to Pa.'s new Climate Action Plan. Volunteers clean up tons of trash along Pittsburgh's hillsides.
10/1/202128 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode Artwork

Pa.'s new climate action plan; climate solutions for farmers and local governments

Pennsylvania has a new climate action plan. Regenerative farming is part of the climate solution as is a program to help local governments. Pennsylvania has pledged to regulate toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water. What's taking so long? New Allegheny County air regs, and a study on the health benefits of joining a regional cap-and-trade program.
9/25/202128 minutes, 56 seconds